IndustryGamers has thoughts from game designer, amateur astronaut, and Lord British Richard Garriott on the prospect of returning to the Ultima series of RPGs he originated in the early days of computer gaming. The franchise is currently dormant, but remains the property of EA, who have owned it since buying Origin Systems, the development studio Garriott formed with his brother Robert. Here's what came up following a question about EA applying the Origin name to their new online service:

"I find the use of the word Ultima to be more interesting as they’ve tried to give that legs again. I hope that Ultima does survive forever, yet I also, of course, have my own very particular ideas for what Ultima can and should become over time and so we’ll see if they do things quite the way I would do them... since I’m not there at the moment," he commented.

IndustryGamers asked Garriott if he could still collaborate with EA. "We would be open to that. In fact, we’ve had some discussions at what I’ll call very high levels, but the individuals who are currently shepherding the property don’t seem to be particularly interested in that, so we’ll see," he replied. "Who knows? You never know what’s going to happen in the future... the doors always open if they were ever interested."

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Garriott drives me nuts, people look up to him but really what has he produced since Ultima Online? One failed half assed project after another. I loved Ultima growing up, I played all of them even the 3D Eye of the Beholder-esque ones and I followed Garriot for years afterwards but with the disapointment of Tabula Rasa and his weird "showmanship" with his castle and whinging on about not being an Astronaut I realised he's just a really weird creepy and slightly sad man who's best work is behind him.

I wish EA would do something with Ultima, they could give it to freaking Bioware to make something interesting out of (since Bioware handle their RPG and MMO division) hell even something to go up against the Elder Scrolls but goodness knows if they will or not. EA make weird business decisions.